They Called Her Jennie Project.
They Called Her Jennie is a traditional stop motion animation, created using paper cut-outs. Frames recorded in Fujifilm JPG’s using a hand built Multiplane camera.
This animation is my artist response - the result of a year’s research into animation techniques, early Japanese history within Canada and the delicate archive of Jennie Kiohara.
The opening haiku was selected from a collection of poems which were written during a visit to Jennie’s grave marker. The poems were distilled into visuals and the featured music arranged the animation.
Personal Thanks to Arts Revelstoke and the Revelstoke Museum and Archives for providing a platform to share the story of Jennie Kiohara.
Jennie is a poignant figure in Canadian Women’s history who we remember today.
I found her story to be one full of symbolic codes and life affirming imagery.
This is my tribute, finding hidden layers through poetry, shadows and light.
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Restoration and design.
Jennie’s grave marker Before and After:
The original marker from 1905 was removed from its crumbling base and cleaned to reveal beautiful marble and detailed engravings.
To ensure this artifact survives another 100+ years, the marker is now supported by a new Vancouver Island white marble base with the addition of flower vases. A concrete foundation was poured to protect the piece and meets current cemetery maintenance standards.
The vase lids can be removed to receive flowers and re-arranged to form an offering tablet with a recess for sand to hold Japanese incense.
A moveable companion plaque was created to offer translation of the archaic Kanji engravings and to note the location of Jennies archive at the Revelstoke Museum and Archives.
Jennie’s grave marker can be found at the Mountain View Cemetery in Revelstoke B.C.